Rafael Leão and coach Sergio Conceição admitted after the Champions League defeat against Feyenoord what AC Milan lacked on Wednesday night: aggression. An emotion that the Portuguese winger frequently provoked among the Rotterdam crowd.
Rafael Leão and coach Sergio Conceição admitted after AC Milan's 1-0 Champions League defeat against Feyenoord what their team lacked on Wednesday night: aggression. It was an element that the Portuguese winger frequently provoked among the Rotterdam crowd throughout the match.
"We didn’t have the same determination and aggression as Feyenoord," the 25-year-old left winger said in an interview with Amazon Prime Video Italia. "We didn’t play at the level required for this match. I also had a chance in the first half that I couldn’t convert." Leão was referring to a key opportunity in the 40th minute when, after a cleared Feyenoord corner, center-back Malick Thiaw played him through on goal. He found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther, only for right-back Givairo Read to track back and, just on the edge of the box, make a crucial touch with his heel to clear the ball away before Leão could strike. It was a moment that could have changed the course of the match, but instead, Milan found themselves unable to break through Feyenoord’s defensive resilience.
Beyond the game itself, Leão also addressed the influence of the Feyenoord supporters, particularly how their presence shaped the atmosphere at De Kuip. "The return leg is at San Siro, in front of our fans, while Feyenoord had a lot of support from their home crowd. It wasn’t a good match. We need to analyze what went wrong." Leão was clearly affected by the intensity of the Rotterdam crowd, finding himself at the center of their frustration from the 30th minute onward. The moment that turned them against him came when he attempted to dribble past Read and central defender Thomas Beelen in the Feyenoord box. Feeling slight contact from Beelen, Leão went down easily and stayed on the ground for 45 seconds. No penalty was awarded, but as soon as the ball came near him again, he quickly got back up. The De Kuip crowd did not appreciate his actions and responded with loud whistles, turning him into a target for the rest of the match.
Despite the hostility from the fans, Leão took responsibility for the team's performance, acknowledging that their mentality was not where it needed to be. "We need to have the right mentality for such an important Champions League match, and today we didn’t. If we approach the return leg with the right attitude, given the quality we have in our team, we will win." His words reflected both a disappointment in the team’s showing and a determination to turn things around in the second leg.
While Leão was left dealing with the crowd’s reaction, AC Milan coach Sergio Conceição also found himself in the spotlight after the match, though for different reasons. He made headlines with an extremely brief post-match press conference, walking out just 30 seconds after it began. Conceição was visibly frustrated after being forced to wait 15 minutes before being allowed to speak, and his abrupt departure drew comparisons to a well-known tactic used by Portuguese managers, with José Mourinho having done the same multiple times during his tenures at Manchester United and Tottenham.
Despite his frustration, Conceição did provide some insight into the loss when speaking to Sky Sport Italia. His assessment of the match was similar to Leão’s: "You win matches through duels and aggression, and Feyenoord had all those ingredients tonight." The coach acknowledged that Milan had struggled to match the intensity and physicality of the Dutch side, which ultimately cost them the game.
The discussion around Milan’s tactical approach also became a focal point in the Italian media. During a television broadcast, former coach Fabio Capello asked Conceição whether he had made a mistake by underestimating Feyenoord and fielding all four attackers together. "Never, I respect everyone in football. We prepared for this match as if it were a Champions League final," the Portuguese coach responded firmly. "Hindsight makes everyone the perfect analyst. This was my decision for the match. I understand that people are curious about the four attackers, but there were seven other players on the pitch as well. I am the one responsible for finding the right balance in the team, and that is something I need to work on."
Conceição’s comments highlighted the growing scrutiny on his tactical choices, particularly his decision to opt for such an attacking lineup in a high-pressure away fixture. The defeat in Rotterdam now leaves Milan with work to do in the return leg at San Siro, where they will need to find a way to break down Feyenoord’s disciplined defensive setup while also maintaining their own defensive stability. The pressure is mounting on both the players and the coaching staff to respond in the second leg, as Milan cannot afford another performance lacking in aggression and determination.
With Feyenoord now holding a narrow advantage, the return fixture in Italy promises to be a tense affair. Milan will need to rediscover their attacking sharpness while ensuring they match the physical battle that Feyenoord imposed in the first leg. Leão, who was at the center of much of the drama in Rotterdam, will have the chance to redeem himself in front of his own fans. As for Conceição, the focus will be on whether he can find the right balance in his team selection and tactical approach to overturn the deficit and keep Milan’s Champions League hopes alive.
